How Long do the Exhaust Systems Last for?
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Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 102
Likes: 18
From: Maryland
How Long do the Exhaust Systems Last for?
Everytime my dad and I talk about my 2001 LS430, I always bring up the big timing belt and water pump change I'll get done (Since she finally cracked 130,000 miles!! 
), but my dad says that I should save up for the exhaust system since they are the first things to go bad on that car and he's "read up" and heard "many reports" of the exhaust system going out and costing around +2.5K to replace since it's a dual system.
So has anyone had to replace the exhaust system on there LS430 and for how much?
), but my dad says that I should save up for the exhaust system since they are the first things to go bad on that car and he's "read up" and heard "many reports" of the exhaust system going out and costing around +2.5K to replace since it's a dual system. So has anyone had to replace the exhaust system on there LS430 and for how much?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
Well, I am the original owner of a 1998 Nissan Maxima, driven solely in the northeast where the roads are salted. The system was aluminized, not stainless. It was 12 years before it finally broke (the cheap aftermarket Walker systems break every 18-24 mos., junk, but OE lasted 12 years, cat still good).
I asked the indie the very same question on my 2006 LS430. All bets were kinda off since the car spent 8 yrs. in FLA. But he said this exhaust is semi stainless so it should last a very long time. What a very long time is of course is open-ended, but I would think longer than the above, so beyond 12 years? For whatever reason my mufflers look like they were painted semi black or something, I dunno if that's a Toyota coating or someone did it....
I asked the indie the very same question on my 2006 LS430. All bets were kinda off since the car spent 8 yrs. in FLA. But he said this exhaust is semi stainless so it should last a very long time. What a very long time is of course is open-ended, but I would think longer than the above, so beyond 12 years? For whatever reason my mufflers look like they were painted semi black or something, I dunno if that's a Toyota coating or someone did it....
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
On a 3rd gen, or on any Lexus? I would say a 3rd gen really isn't old enough to have experienced a failure just yet, given its composition/materials. Then, if the car were a southern car, I don't think it will ever need an exhaust...
I had this issue on my 02 GS430 when the car was 12 years old and just over 150K on it. I just ended up get a custom y-pipe made without the cat for $350, rather than buy the OEM part with cat for over $1,000.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2011
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From: CA
No Catalytic Converter No Pass Smog
An awful lot of states including my Peoples Republic of California you will never pass smog without all the cats if you don't start thowing codes long before the inspection.
I've never seen these exhaust systems rust or wear out except the occasional Y pipe.cracking from stresses.
I've never seen these exhaust systems rust or wear out except the occasional Y pipe.cracking from stresses.
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Yes, the third cat was eliminated since I had the y-pipe made.
My GS430 did not throw any codes or fail emissions in MD after the y-pipe was made and installed. The O2 sensors are after the primary cats. I don't recall one after the third cat.
An awful lot of states including my Peoples Republic of California you will never pass smog without all the cats if you don't start thowing codes long before the inspection.
I've never seen these exhaust systems rust or wear out except the occasional Y pipe.cracking from stresses.
I've never seen these exhaust systems rust or wear out except the occasional Y pipe.cracking from stresses.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
I had a new 1992 SC400 and drove it until it was t-boned and totaled in 2014 (23 years). Never had an exhaust issue. In fact, it never had an emission test failure, in spite of the rigorous every-year emission test requirements in AZ.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,498
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From: Milwaukee, Wi
16 years and 159K on the LS and the system is still quiet with no converter noises or rattles. It really doesn't even look bad, considering the environment in which it lives...
Last edited by 2KHarrier; Jul 9, 2017 at 07:56 AM.
My 2005 LS430's exhaust was leaking at 89,000 miles. I went with a custom 2.25 custom X-pipe with no mufflers and 4.5 inch Borla tips for $300. I wanted to change my exhaust out anyway but this was a much cheaper option than purchasing a new pipe from Lexus.
The exhaust leak seemed common at the time I had my work done. My sister has an 02 LS430 with 255,000 miles and the exhaust sounds fine. She will probably do a custom exhaust at some point but there isn't any rush.
The exhaust leak seemed common at the time I had my work done. My sister has an 02 LS430 with 255,000 miles and the exhaust sounds fine. She will probably do a custom exhaust at some point but there isn't any rush.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
If you drive in areas that use road salt, REMOVE THE HEAT SHIELDS on both sides of the Y-pipe IMMEDIATELY, otherwise I guarantee you will have an unnecessarily short exhaust lifespan. Many LS430 exhaust pipes have developed near-invisible cracks (or worse) due to corrosion between the heat shield and the Y-pipe. Very common for P0420 and P0430 trouble codes to pop up, which are technically catalyst efficiency error codes, but the true cause is the exhaust system not being air-tight. You can patch the pipe if you catch the crack early enough, otherwise you have to buy a new Y-pipe. No need to go OEM for the Y-pipe, but be sure it includes the 3rd catalyst and be sure to use OEM gaskets.
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